NEWS
June 6, 2007
Contact: Dalilah Davaloz
Public Information Office
Phone (714) 564-6475, Mobile (714) 623-8654
Davaloz_dalilah@sac.edu
For Immediate Release
High School Students Earn Associate’s Degrees
Teens take college courses along with their high school curriculum
(Santa Ana, CA) – Sixty-three students will graduate from Middle College High School (MCHS) with
their high school diplomas, and 13 of those students will also graduate with their associate’s degree and
transfer as juniors to universities. On Wednesday, June 13, at 1 p.m., Middle College High School will
celebrate this unique gradating class of 2007 at Santa Ana College’s Phillips Hall Theatre. Dr. Erlinda
Martinez, Santa Ana College president will serve as distinguished keynote speaker.
Adrian Reyes, 18-years-old, is ranked second in this graduating class. “I have been fortunate to
have participated and completed my high school and two-year college requirements through this
program,” said Reyes. “Now, I have a jumpstart on completing my bachelor’s degree compared to other
incoming high school graduates.” Reyes has been accepted and plans to attend the University of
California Irvine in the fall. He will begin his studies as a junior and major in biological science.
Since 1997, Santa Ana College (SAC) has been the community college host of MCHS, an early
college access program in which students have the opportunity to concurrently pursue a high school
diploma and a college degree. This unique school is a collaboration between Santa Ana Unified School
District (SAUSD) and Ranch Santiago Community College District. While the school is located on the
college campus, all teachers are employed by SAUSD. Students take high school curriculum courses,
which are required by SAUSD but also take college courses to fulfill requirements by the state of
California for earning an associate’s degree.
The concept for middle college high schools was originally developed by Dr. Janet Leiberman of
La Guardia Community College in New York and is being promoted nationwide through Gates
Foundation grants. Today, there are over 30 middle colleges located across the nation. The Gates
Foundation has provided grants locally to help fund MCHS and Olive Crest Early College High School,
another collaborative venture of SAC and SAUSD.
“The program was established for the average student, to provide him or her with a platform to
excel and reach for higher education,” said Jean Williams, MCHS principal.
-morePublic Information Office  1530 W. 17th Street  Santa Ana, CA 92706  Phone: (714) 564-6475  Fax: (714) 835-5059
www.sac.edu
Teens take college courses
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Although the high school environment is traditional, students face additional challenges since
they are also completing courses at SAC to fulfill their two-year college requirements.
“The program has been demanding, but the rewards have made it worthwhile,” continued Reyes.
“I would recommend this program to anyone who seeks to be challenged.”
Reyes and his peers have each completed 60 transferable units for acceptance as juniors to fouryear institutions and are scheduled to attend universities throughout the state, including Chapman
University, San Francisco State University, University of California Santa Cruz, and Woodbury
University.
For more information regarding Middle College High School, contact Jean Williams at (714)
564-6136.
About Santa Ana College
Santa Ana College is a public community college that serves nearly 50,000 credit and non-credit
students annually. SAC provides education for academic transfer and careers, courses for personal and
professional development, customized training for business and industry, and programs to train nurses,
firefighters and law enforcement personnel.
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Public Information Office  1530 W. 17th Street  Santa Ana, CA 92706  Phone: (714) 564-6475  Fax: (714) 835-5059
www.sac.edu